June 7, 2016 - 5:20 PM EDT
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Ecopetrol Continues the Implementation of Hedge Accounting Policy

Ecopetrol Continues the Implementation of Hedge Accounting Policy

Canada NewsWire

BOGOTA, Colombia, June 7, 2016 /CNW/ -- Ecopetrol S.A. (BVC: ECOPETROL; NYSE: EC) hereby announces that its Board of Directors, in a session held on June 6, 2016, approved the implementation of "Hedge of a net investment in a foreign operation" accounting as established under the International Accounting Standard IAS 39 (paragraph 102) and Decrees 2420 and 2496 of 2015 regarding International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). The decision seeks to reduce the volatility within the non-operational results of the Company due to the effects of fluctuations in foreign exchange rates.

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The net investment hedge will apply to a portion of the foreign currency investments that the Company owns and whose functional currency is the U.S. dollar, with the hedging instrument being the portion of our dollar-denominated debt that generated a net liability position by the end of May.

As from the adoption of net investment hedge accounting, the effect of fluctuations in the foreign exchange rate on the hedged instrument will be recognized as Other Comprehensive Income (OCI) in Equity, where currently the foreign exchange effect on subsidiaries which have the U.S. dollar as their functional currency is recorded when accounted under the equity method. This policy is subject to a test of effectiveness and the ineffective portion will be recognized in profit or loss.

The amounts recognized in OCI will be taken into profit and loss only if and at such time the investments designated for purposes of the net investment hedge are sold. In the meantime such fluctuations will remain in Equity, even after debt payments are made. 

The net investment hedge will be applied prospectively from June 7, 2016. This accounting change will be treated alike for both Colombian IFRS and IFRS as issued by the IASB.

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Ecopetrol is the largest company in Colombia and is an integrated oil & gas company; it is among the top 50 oil companies in the world and among the four top ones in Latin America. Besides Colombia - where it generates over 60% of the national production - it has exploration and production activities in Brazil, Peru & the US (Gulf of Mexico). Ecopetrol owns the largest refinery in Colombia and most of the pipeline and multi-product pipeline network in the country, and is significantly increasing its participation in bio-fuels.

This release contains statements that may be considered forward looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934. All forward-looking statements, whether made in this release or in future filings or press releases or orally, address matters that involve risks and uncertainties, including in respect of the Company's prospects for growth and its ongoing access to capital to fund the Company's business plan, among others. Consequently, changes in the following factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ materially from those included in the forward-looking statements: market prices of oil & gas, our exploration and production activities, market conditions, applicable regulations, the exchange rate, the Company's competitiveness and the performance of Colombia's economy and industry, to mention a few. We do not intend, and do not assume any obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

For further information, please contact:                 

Head of Corporate Finance and Investor Relations (A)
Lina María Contreras Mora
Phone: (+571) 234 5190
E-mail: investors@ecopetrol.com.co

Media Relations (Colombia
Jorge Mauricio Tellez 
Phone: +571-234-4329 
e-mail: mauricio.tellez@ecopetrol.com.co

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To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ecopetrol-continues-the-implementation-of-hedge-accounting-policy-300281196.html

SOURCE Ecopetrol S.A.

Copyright CNW Group 2016


Source: Canada Newswire (June 7, 2016 - 5:20 PM EDT)

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